a long winter's nap

First of all I want to say a very heartfelt thank you to those who have checked in with me the past few months that I haven't been blogging.  It is so appreciated and so nice to be remembered even though I haven't been "out there".  All is well, but sometimes life just throws up too many obstacles for one to always what one wants to do.    

 So tired of our exceptionally cold, dreary, wet winter, I just returned from a walk in the most welcome sun, some pre-March winds, and warm temperatures.  It was inspiring for me, to say the least.  After 5 months of not posting, and with the holidays past, it is time to shovel out of the rut.

One of my projects included a collaboration with my extremely talented daughter, Casey. Check out her Pinterest boards.  It was such a great experience to work with her on 3 pieces.  I can't share details or photos of these designs quite yet, but it is coming soon. 

Meanwhile here are a few photos of some of the experimenting and quilts I've been playing with before and after the collaboration.  All are unfinished, my normal way of playing.  

14" x 27"

64" x  78" for Chase & Andrea

Twin size for Evie
(remember those chenille bedspreads of the 1950?)

twin size for Silas

16" x 22"

Now to settle down and get some things finished, right?  

New Ways vs. Old Ways

I tried a new technique with this project.  Rather than dividing the pattern into often oddly shaped pieces, I opted for panels.  Let me tell you, it really made a big difference when sewing all the sections together.  All the panels lined up perfectly (well perfectly for me) and was quite a bit easier to stitch together.  

"The Old Road to Home", measures 45" x 70" unquilted.  

The gray geese are also sewn together and ready to be quilted.  Now to get this one quilted as well as it's mate, the bird house.  Methinks these guys will get along well together.  

Now to get busy with the quilting part.  I do know I want to use silk batting for light, summer quilts.  What I don't yet know, what to use for the backs.  Try as I may to choose a softer, neutral, perhaps solid backing, I keep pulling out all sorts of my old large scale, patterned Alexander Henry fabrics.  Can an old girl ever get on board with the new ways?

Flying off in a new direction >>>>>>>>

I got carried away by the geese.  The thought occurred to me that it would be fun to make a coordinating quilt to use with my low volume quilt. 

Besides, I was stuck for a bit on finding just the right look for the middle section of the trees.  All it took was a nice walk on a sunny day for some good inspiration. (We finally had a couple of days of sunshine down in the "sunny South")  Now I am on a roll.  Up and down the ladder, pinning pieces to the wall.
 

Note to self
* next time you get stuck, take a walk*
Now I really must grab one of the tops that is languishing in the pile of the unquilted,
get it sandwiched together and quilt it.
That will only give me 3 projects to work on for a few days.  A day filled with designing, piecing, quilting.  How could a person ever get bored, I ask you.  So many quilts.  So little time.

University of Florida vs University of Tennessee

ready to be quilted with orange thread perhaps

Free for All

Sometimes I just must take a break from free motion quilting and the piecing of tiny, intricate curvy slivers of fabric.  So, I started a list of projects that have been on the back burner for far too long.   Several of the projects are free for all pieced blocks intended for some of my family members.  I can intermittently play with basket full of scraps rather than spending my time on non productive activities.  If ya know what I mean.

These blocks are for a young great nephew who, despite living in the middle of Big Orange University of Tennessee football land, prefers to cheer for the arch rival, University of Florida. Okay, so UF colors are orange and blue.  UT colors are orange and white.  I began with orange and blue four patch for the centers.  Next I pulled random strips of solids for the basket and started sewing them on in a sorta log cabin rotation.  A few times I might forget which comes next in the rotation and haphazardly sew a strip wherever it happens to land.  It's a free for all fun way to brighten up a rainy day.

Oh, and just in case he might change his mind one of these days, (or earn a scholarship to UT) I began to throw in some bits of white near that orange.  We won't mention that fact to him, so mums the word.  Hmmmmm - note to self - add more white...........

totally fiberliscious

The excitement continues.  See what I received by mail the other day!  My very own autographed copy of

DRUM ROLL ........

TA-DA.................

I am completely thrilled with Victoria's book filled with delicious eye candy.  The layout seems more innovative than lots of other books on quilting.  For instance, the center section of this book has all sorts of ideas on making your own improv blocks based on the good ole basic traditional quilt blocks.  These ideas can certainly jazz up your repertoire in the use of fabrics and colors.  What fun.  

There are tons of scrumptious examples of quilts created with "made fabric" blocks from 15 Minutes Play groups interspersed through out the book.   Victoria has successfully gathered quilters from over the world to share blocks with one another to fulfill each individual's ideas of their own quilt.  Each challenge could keep me busy for years.

Of course there are Victoria's own superb quilts.  Whimsical, witty, colorful, striking, totally deboxed are some adjectives that come to mind as I flip through page after page of 

15 Minutes of Play

If you are looking for inspiration, got nothing to do with that bag of little scraps, bored with the same old stuff, and feel the urge to play for just a few minutes every day, this is your cookbook.  Easy peezy recipes. Laid back ingredients. Results guaranteed to warm the cockles of your heart for a lifetime. 

Oh, and I must confess. Not only am I promoting Victoria's book, but just wanted to let you know that one of my quilts is in this book.  (page 63)  And, I was a block contributor to quilts made by 15 Minutes of Playmates.  Yeah, I am totally shameless.  

Thanks Victoria

I look forward to your next book.  

Oh yes, and your upcoming fabric collection!  

Your next move is to order this book here,

cuz I am not showing any more photos.  

Don't want to get nabbed for copyright violations.  

heehee

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all

Sweet Memories are Made of This

So, back to my somewhat regular routine.  Not that I could ever say I have a routine.  I sorta do whatever, whenever, and try to enjoy what may come.  After returning home from Alabama, and my most wonderful new friends departed for the great northwest, I dragged around for a few more days, still reminiscing about the fun we had.  You might have read about Nifty's, Bonnie's and Tina's purchases while shopping around Cleveland.  After finding those treasures, we hit the thrift store and each bought a few shirts. Then the girls treated Steve and me to a delightful dinner at our favorite local restaurant.  A few martini's, some nice wine and delicious food gave us new strength to head home and cut up the newly purchased shirts.  We continued laughing and cutting up into the wee hours.

Tina rescued the "seams" from all the boxers and shirts and made balls for the cats to play with.  Sorry Tina, but the cats don't get those balls.  I found a much better use for them.  The smaller ones are perfect for filling up the glass of my new Target lamp.  Now to make more more more.

Instead of getting back to work on my dogwood quilt, or any of the other projects that I have started.  I just couldn't wait to play with those shirt scraps that we shared.   I decided to make Friendship Star blocks.  Along with scraps from Tina, Bonnie and Nifty, these shirts turned out to have just the perfect color combinations.  For me at least. I think it will be the perfect quilt full of memories that will last forever.

Got twelve blocks whipped up in no time.  Not sure where it will go from here, but I've got lots of scraps left and it will continue to grow.  As I hope our friendship will continue to grow.

check out the pocket
another "Nifty" idea

One more my friend's shirts quilt finished

Another one bites the dust.  Bound and ready for snuggling on a chilly day.  

front 
All shirtings set together with 3 different pieces of orange shot cottons.
Straight line machine quilting with variegated threads.

back
Using an old piece of chambray which had the corner cut into, I added a length of shirting strips along with a couple of more pieces of shirting to make it large enough for the backing.  

Originality

Recently some friends and I were talking about originality.  As in, there is nothing original in this world.  I do agree with that.  As much as I try to create an original quilted piece, and I occasionally think that, aha!, by jove I've done it.  I've only to go as far as my laptop and find that the little black sliver of fabric I've inserted into one of my last quilts to make the blocks line up has already been done!
Yet, that seems to inspire me to try and try again. 

I do enjoy a challenge.

The past few days I have been playing with triangles.  Nothing new there.  But just maybe.  If I take my pattern from the last piece, 

and play around with the lines in a new sketch, I'll find another way of doing this motif.  (Am I really going to do a series?)  Yeegads!

First I cut 1 1/2 ", 1", and 3/4" strips of black and white fabrics, using my ruler.

Next, using my scissors, no measurements, no rules, I cut little triangles from multiple colors.  I decided to sew alternating black and white strips on two sides of the triangles.  Need I mention that it became addicting.  Here's what I have got so far.  

Although I didn't stick to the sketch, I am enjoying the way it is going.  So far this is some good therapy and some good fun.  It makes me happy just to look at it.  Not too sure where I'll go from here, but I like the idea of the colored triangles being different sizes.  Little bits of color.  Zig zags.
Original?  Maybe not in the worldly scheme of things. but for me, definitely yes.  Geometrics.  Series.  I would have never dreamed that I would be doing this.

Now that I've gotten several triangles made, I'll sew them together and see what happens.  And I am not going to stress over matching them up perfectly, as they are all just a bit different in size.  To my eye, that is what will make it more interesting.  But then, that's just my opinion.  Life is good.  Maybe not too original, but still good fun. We'll see what tomorrow brings.  

Ties

The time has come to do something with all the silk ties I have stashed away.  Some belonged to my father, my uncles, my son, my husband, my nephew and others came from thrift shops.  I have an over abundance 

Then there are the old silk blouses and slacks that I kept saving with the though that they might be back in style one day.  Alas, I have tossed the shoulder pads that should be velcroed into the blouses for that 80's look, so needless to say, the fit is no longer very attractive.  So they've been cut apart.  Let me just say right now, that it finally keeps me from wearing them in public.  

Then there are the pieces of silks that did and did not make it into garments

               Next step, I washed everything all up and began taking the ties apart

when I needed a bit of "sit down, put my feet up time".

A few days ago, I took rotary cutter in hand and began slicing and dicing 

the ties into approximately 2" inch strips.  

Like so

Not having much experience with silk, I felt that it should be sewn onto some sort of backing.  Making an executive decision, I cut 6 inch squares of muslin for the backing.  Now to decide a pattern for the silk strips.  Mulling it over and over, it's time to make the next executive decision.  Let's sew these suckers down and get on with it.

Like so

All the original ideas that I had are out the window, and now it is audition time

on a silk blouse sleeve, a new look for garments: or maybe not

silk blouse strips, oh so traditional

use the silk ties center sections for sashings, tradition with a twist?

but then, why use all silk; use recycled linen slacks

The original intention was to use silk and only silk.  The question of the day, do I want contrast? Tonight, methinks, it is all about the contrast.  Dare I go back to both sides now?
Yes, Miz Scarlett, tomorrow is another day.
No telling what it may bring.
I am wide open for suggestion here.  Don't be shy

Gee's Whiz

Here is what's been happening with the strips of pieced rectangles that I received from the lovely ladies participating in Victoria's 

15 minutes play quilt bee 

It all began in October based on the scrappy making fabric concept.  

When It was my turn to "play", my original thought was to ask for strips of fabric rectangles sewn together.  What I didn't divulge in my request for the strips is my idea for the putting them together.  I would  sew all the strips together, then cut them apart in  "snakey curves".  I would then sew in the "snakes" to rejoin them. 

Sorta like these inspirational  African American quilts:

 

Rather than actually making a quilt similar to my friends' Real Deal quilt 

Once those strips began to arrive, I got a bit lazy.  Plus I couldn't decide what color to use for the "snakes".  Black snakes, green snakes, copperhead........... 

the first strips came from Margaret

a few more from other bee members

And still more

Then I pulled out a few old words blocks that I had made years ago, I just knew it was meant to be.  It just seemed to suit the mood of a bee concept.  People sharing pieces of fabrics sewn together, inspiring one another, and having fun. 

so to here

then to here

But wait  there are more strips to come from other players, 

it isn't over yet.  There could still be snakes.

With so many strips of fabric, I can make two quilts.

Why not?  Two for the price of one. 

Green snakes,

black snakes, 

copperheads, 

coral snakes, 

scarlet snakes, 

even a python

the last bloom of the season

I was compelled to cut the last one.  It was already beginning to get brown spots and the beetles were having their way with the edge of one of the petals.  I spontaneously snipped it, brought it into my studio and placed it in shallow dish  with a bit of water.  I placed it on top of my inherited aunt's cedar chest so as to enjoy the  beauty and fragrance all day.

In case you might ask, I adore magnolia blossoms.  And I have been tempted forevermore to create an art quilt depicting a blossom that I could enjoy throughout the year.  In the south, we use the leathery leaves from our magnolia trees to decorate our house all year long.  But only in the late spring and early summer are we captivated and delighted with their most magnificent blooms and enchanting fragrance.  So here's the teaser for my next quilt.  It is not nearly as large as the last one, but a challenge, none the less.

I drew up the pattern for Miss Magnolia on Friday morning, selected my fabrics and played around with the whites for a while.  Not to be neglectful, I felt obliged to at least begin quilting on Ms. Lantana.

In the midst of my intense machine quilting today, my husband ventured into the studio, "er-ah, are you ready for lunch/?"  Which translates, "come make my lunch for me."  While he was lingering in the doorway, he casually mentioned the number of projects that I have on my walls.  Well, yes, there is a bit going on around in my AADD mind which somehow leaps onto the walls.  One of which is an online quilt bee in which I am participating over at Bumble Beans 15 Minutes Play.  You must make the jump over there to see what is going on with that.  No need in me being too redundant, yet again.  Victoria has set up a wild, wacky wonderful playground which has enticed me to play along.  

Oh, so, back to my wall.   I just received a delightful package from Beth with the requested strips for my 15 minute play project.  LOVE 'EM

Thank you so much Beth.  They are perfect.

And Margaret posted hers on the 15 minute blog, which I cannot wait to receive.  Luscious!

 What I failed to mention in my request on the 15 minute play blog for said strips of fabric rectangles, is my ultimate goal for said strips.  Which I am anxiously awaiting from 9 other lovely ladies.  Yes, yes, I know you think that this is going to be a simple repro of the elegant quilt of my friend that I have been lusting for.   But I have some secret designs in mind for this beauty, which will be reveled at a later time. 

Eeeeyyyyyyyyyyyyiiiiiiiiiiiiii

I see fireworks as I type.

Happy Independence Day to All

it has been a vanilla week

Monday

 

 

 

Tuesday

Friday

sample of a quilted block    

Finding that linen, linen/cotton blend and linen/rayon blend fabrics tend to be a bit slippery, I am happy that I decided to begin this project in the quilt as you go manner.  Also finding also no matter that I cut several the blocks the same size, once they are pressed and quilted, they are no longer the same size.  So the remaining blocks, or about half of them are just random sizes. That makes for more challenges, as in how to connect all the blocks nicely.  Hopefully I will be able to vary the joining strips to accommodate the size differences, using some of my bits o' color strips.  And hopefully makes for a more interesting design. 

As I was quilting the blocks, with absolutely no preplanned idea of what I would be doing from minute to minute, it dawned on me, that it had the feel of American Indian piecework designs.  Or so it feels to me.  Which led me back to my original inspiration, which I had  forgotten all about.  It was a Pendleton blanket that my daughter had posted on her website,  

click here, 

as a nice Christmas gift for someone special.  

If you check out that blanket you will see 

colored stripes on an off white background.  

And now I am ready for chocolate, strawberry, peach, lemon, lime, pineapple. . . .

ANYTHING  WITH COLOR!

Hope you have a weekend full of sunshine and color.

Happy New Year

I spent the better part of  New Year's Eve cleaning up my studio.  Although I didn't finish all those UFO's in 2010, I am still resolved to get them completed by the end of 2011.  (HA!)  Famous last words, eh?

I pulled out this quilt .  It is a mystery quilt from Electric Quilt.com that my quilt guild did several years ago.  We were even featured on the EQ website with some of our almost completed quilts. I am thinking to myself about what could I do with this quilt if I finished quilting it.  

I realized that even though I never make New Year's resolutions, I could challenge myself to make more cuddle quilts.  There are far too many children who live in shelters without any parents or siblings.  This is something that they could have as their very own.  Something that they can wrap around themselves and feel that they are being hugged and loved. 

So I got this one all ready for quilting.

But wait, while I was cleaning up a stack of fabrics I found a fat quarter that I didn't know what to do with.  It was just rows of  kittens. OH!   Why not cut out each kittie and free-piece strips of fabrics all around each one.  The first block took around 15 minutes, maybe less.  So part of New Year's Day was spent piecing this quilt. 

  Now to get it sandwiched and ready to quilt.  This is a first for me.  Making a quilt in less than 6 hours. So  I should be able to make one each month.  What about you?  Can you do a quilt each month?

I hope that each child who will receive these quilts will feel the love that I felt as I sewed each and every stitch.  I hope that it will help to make them feel more secure and know that they are cared for.  I hope that it will give them hope for a happy and bright future.  I wish for them a happy and bright future.  So now, I know what to do with all of my other unquilted tops.  There are far too many children of all ages who need to feel love.